We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Kelly Bryant.
Bible Reading:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2
Word:
Sometimes when we read a familiar scripture like Hebrews 12:1, it’s easy to gloss over the meaning of the text. It’s as if we’ve heard or read “Run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus” so often that we imagine it’s the caption on a motivational poster or Hallmark card. The difference between the wisdom in God’s word and the maxims proffered in self-help books is that the purpose of the words in the Bible is always to point us to Christ for strength instead of searching for strength within ourselves.
When the writer of Hebrews encourages us to run with endurance, he isn’t talking about using our own feet and legs. The writer isn’t telling us to just keep pumping our own arms. Our physical bodies get tired and worn out in this race. There are days we feel like running and days when it hurts just to lace up our shoes. When your strength is completely gone, no amount of positive thinking can get your body back to running.
The good news is that Jesus Christ already won the race for us. From his place at the right hand of the throne, Jesus is now the source and perfecter of our faith. We don’t have to run a perfect race, we just have to trust in his strength to get us through it. In Philippians 1:6, Paul writes, “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The motivation in Hebrews 12 isn’t that I have to be stronger, faster, or tougher to endure this race; it’s that Jesus has promised that his power will get me to the finish line.
Prayer:
Skillwork:
Be free today. Run your race that God has set before you.
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